I didn’t grab my backpack or log off the computer. Honestly, a few dozen yuan for internet cafe fees meant nothing next to my mom’s safety…

Under normal circumstances, if Mom came home early from a business trip and found I wasn’t back by eleven or twelve at night, my phone would’ve been flooded with her calls.

Once, I was so deep in clearing a major raid at the internet cafe that I missed my phone entirely. Only after finishing did I see over fifty missed calls from her.

Turns out she’d returned early. I barely got away with lying that I’d lost the front door key and stayed at a classmate’s place.

If Mom ever found out I’d been sneaking off to the internet cafe for all-nighters every other day while she was away… yeah, broken legs would’ve been the least of it.

After that incident, I felt her suspicion grow. Every trip afterward, she’d cut it short—always returning in the evening.

Luckily, I learned her pattern. In the final days of her trips, I’d just stay home watching TV like a good girl.

Thinking this, regret tightened my chest. All because I was too playful—forcing Mom to rush back just to catch me. If only I’d behaved… she wouldn’t be in danger right now.

As guilt weighed on me, Lizi Sa and I were already in a taxi, speeding home.

In the car, I pieced everything together. How did the killer know my exact address? I’d never shared it in-game or on social media. If it didn’t leak from me… where did he get it?

This trip had only lasted seven or eight days. Her shortest before was twenty-five. And it was nearly midnight—yet not a single call from her.

Something felt off.

Lost in thought, I pulled out my vape, took a light puff, and passed it to Lizi Sa.

She took it, glancing at me with a hint of confusion.

“No thanks. I don’t use these.”

“…”

“Just… hold onto it for me,” I murmured helplessly.

Another text buzzed in—from my own number again. Another pitch-black photo.

My apartment building’s entrance.

“He’s at my building…” I whispered to Lizi Sa, redialing Mom’s number frantically.

She urged the driver faster while staying on the line with police.

Mom’s phone still went unanswered.

Could she be ignoring me out of anger? Possible. Mom, though a mother, sometimes acted like a kid throwing a tantrum. Her skin was so well-kept—mid-thirties but looked early twenties. People often mistook us for sisters on the street.

The phone rang again. The taxi was almost there.

“You’re home, right?”

A message from “Liu Xiaozhen.”

Lizi Sa and I froze for a beat. Then it clicked.

If the killer knew my address, he’d researched me. A smart killer wouldn’t pick randomly. He chose me because he knew my parents were usually away.

So seeing lights on, he’d assume I was home alone…

But it was Mom inside.

Then why warn me? Didn’t he fear I’d call police and set a trap? Our door wasn’t Liu Xiaozhen’s flimsy gate—it was a solid security door. Not something you kick or pry open easily.

Was he that arrogant? Treating me like nothing just to savor his game?

Gritting my teeth, I typed back:

“The police have surrounded the compound. Enjoy yourself!”

“Let’s see who takes who down today.”

Sending it brought a flicker of satisfaction. I even pictured him dragged away in cuffs—almost satisfying.

But worry for Mom never lifted.

What if he was sharp enough to guess it was *her* inside? What if he tricked her into opening the door? Slim chance… but not impossible.

Frantic, I texted Mom:

“DO NOT open the door for anyone! Please! Just trust your daughter this once!”

—

We jumped out and sprinted toward my building. Honestly, my legs felt shaky. Police were almost here—why rush alone?

Remembering the killer’s methods, I feared we’d walk straight into a double takedown.

But Lizi Sa’s face was all sharp focus, urgency in every step. Touched, yet… was this too reckless?

My building sat deep in the compound’s most remote corner. Worst design ever: only one gate. A long run from entrance to home.

“Wait!”

I doubled over, gasping. Lizi Sa had kicked off her heels, running barefoot—still not winded.

“What? Stay close. He could be nearby,” she whispered urgently.

But I wasn’t listening anymore.

Something far worse caught my eye.

The fifth floor—*my* window—was pitch black.

The lights were off.

I couldn’t be wrong. I’d lived here my whole life. I knew that window instantly.

*Definitely* off.

And in the heavy silence… a faint rustling of footsteps drew near.